Open Doord’s annual World Watch List persecution report also discusses the persecution of Christian children and young people. Why is dealing with the persecution of children important and how does religious persecution affect the education and future of young people?
The World Watch List persecution report not only tells about where Christians are currently being persecuted, but also about how future generations can be influenced by influencing the church.
When a hostile environment restricts the church’s activities and targets it with religious violence, the church’s ability to empower children and young people can be compromised. Even those children who want to be Christians or have some level of contact with Christian communities and families can be persecuted.
“If the church is full of people who have all been persecuted since childhood in many different ways, the church is so wounded at its core that it has no chance of influencing the surrounding community.”
Preventing education, bullying at school and in one’s own community, denying Christian teaching and separating from Christian parents – these are the most common forms of persecution that Christian children and young people face. All of this is a threat to the next generation of the church, future church leaders and Christian families.
A church wounded by persecution is in danger of losing
One Middle Eastern youth expert (Children and youth persecution report 2021, p.14) stated: “If the church is full of people who have all been persecuted since childhood in many different ways, the church is so wounded at its core that it has no chance to influence the surrounding community.”
“When weak, it is subject to increasing, extreme persecution, or it simply fades into non-existence.”
However, there is still hope. Churches can be places where you feel togetherness and nurture and strengthen the resources and energy that young people bring there with them.
“Local believers can make churches places where young people are empowered and their contribution is appreciated. Churches can become known for how their young people use their gifts and work in cooperation with multigenerational communities to bring about change in both the church and the community,” states the Middle East youth expert at the end of his speech (Children and Youth Persecution Report 2021).
How does religious persecution affect education?
Education is important for all children and young people in the world. It can break the cycle of poverty, promote cohesion and transform communities. However, the nature and quality of education varies greatly within and across countries. Unfortunately, education can also be used for discrimination and bullying – also for religious reasons.
Discrimination and bullying in education has been the most reported form of pressure directed at Christian children and young people during the three-year study.
While case-by-case specifics may vary, the WWL Persecution Report’s research on religious persecution has shown how education has consistently been used to pressure the younger generation of Christian communities across regions and cultures.
Based on their status, teachers and authorities are authorized to discriminate against and bully Christian children and young people.
The forms of pressure can vary: Christians are given lower grades on tests and exams or they are forced to practice the main religion through reading schedules and other school practices.
Based on their status, teachers and authorities are authorized to discriminate against and bully Christian children and young people. When the school should offer safety and protection, it can be a bastion of religious hostility.
For example, in Ethiopia (ranked 32nd according to the WWL Persecution Report 2024), teachers can intentionally give Christian children and youth bad grades and humiliate them in class. Classmates may bully them and exclude them from their circle of friends.
Read more “Threatened future”: 2023 Children and young people, updated interim report.
Source: Mitä vaikutuksia lapsiin ja nuoriin kohdistuvalla vainolla on? | Open Doors Finland
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